Today, most homeowners like adding a touch of artistic delicacy to their homes with sculptural houseplants. It, is the ideal indoor plant to spruce up your decor. With their fenestrations and leathery surface, the Monstera vine leaves seem surreal. It adds a classic mid-century modern vibe to your decor palette. The Swiss cheese plant gets its popular name from its big, heart-shaped leaves, which get pierced with holes over time. It almost resembles a slice of cheese. The trailing characteristic of this plant makes it an excellent choice for suspending baskets.

Swiss cheese plants are popular yet rare, which makes them often expensive. It is best to grab this exquisite plant with holes in leaves, as soon as you see them for sale. The best part is that you can easily take care of them if you keep them in the right humid and warm conditions. Read further to know more about swiss cheese plant care tips!

Common Name Swiss Cheese plant
Scientific Name Monstera Adansonii
Other names Swiss cheese vine, five holes plant
Plant family Araceae
Plant Type Perennial
Mature Height(Average) 3 to 5 feet (Indoors) and 10 to 13 feet Tall(Outdoors)
Flower Colour White
Blooming Season Spring (Only if planted Outdoors)
Native region Central America And South America
Native Climate Tropical rainforests Climate (Hot and Humid)
Light Level Indirect Sunlight
Soil Type Moist and well-drained
Soil pH Acidic to Neutral
Humidity Level Above 50%, high humidity
Water Requirements 1-2 times in a Month
Toxicity Hazardous to pets

Different Types of Swiss Cheese Plant

The magnificent monstera plant and its huge notched leaves have captivated the indoor houseplant community. However, did you know that there are several distinct Swiss cheese plant species, each with unique variations in size, color, and perforation patterns?

Monstera Deliciosa: 

Swiss Cheese Plant

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You’ve definitely seen those large, beautiful holey leaves that are currently fashionable in nurseries and printed home décor. This Swiss cheese plant variant features large perforations. 

Monstera Adansonii

Swiss Cheese Plant

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Although the holes in this type are not as enormous as those in the deliciosa, they are still rather big! As this Monstera climbs and forms vines, it is also known as a cheese plant or a cheese vine. It grows in the wild over most of Central and South America.

Monstera Obliqua: 

Swiss Cheese Plant

Source: monsteraplantresource.com

This rare species of Swiss cheese plant resembles Monstera adansonii in appearance but has thinner leaves with more holes. These plants are quite sensitive, therefore you won’t find them in nurseries. The holes can consume up to 90% of the thin leaves.

How to Grow Swiss Cheese Plant From Seed

Swiss cheese plants do not reach maturity to produce seeds until they are a year old. So this is an uncommon method of growing this houseplant. However, it is not impossible if you take the proper precautions and nourish them properly. Following are some necessary steps to grow swiss cheese plants from seeds.

1. Moist Soil Mix

Swiss Cheese Plant

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Swiss Cheese plant seeds require moist soil to germinate. Plant the seeds in a shallow tray filled with a wet potting mix to grow them from seed. Sprinkle a thin layer of the growth soil mix over the seeds.

2. Place it in a Shaded Area

Swiss Cheese Plant

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The Swiss cheese plant does not require any light. In nature, the plant prefers to grow in gloomy areas of the forest. Keep the tray in a warm location with bright, indirect light and seal it with plastic film to retain humidity.

3. Daily Misting

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Keep the germination mixture gently wet by misting it regularly. In a few weeks, the seeds should germinate. After that, discard the plastic sheet while keeping the growth media wet. In a few months, the seedlings should be ready for transplantation.

Potting and Repotting Swiss Cheese Plant

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Both novice and seasoned gardeners may easily transplant a Swiss cheese plant. Every year, replant your Monstera to give its roots space to expand and replenish the nutrients in the soil. The best time to pot these perforated beings is in the spring before new leaves emerge. For your convenience, we’ll break down the Swiss cheese plant potting process into 3 easy steps.

1. Selecting the Perfect Pot

A Swiss cheese plant will grow in any pot with holes in the bottom. Choose a container that is slightly bigger than the plant’s root system when transplanting a home depot plant. You can also try planting them in hanging baskets for a chic boho vibe!

2. Potting a Monstera Adansonii

Use a compost-based potting mix and place it at the same level as it was in the home depot container. After replacing the plant and covering the root system, halfway fill the container with the potting mixture.

3. Repotting

The secret to good potting is to keep your soil damp but not soggy. Layer peat moss at the bottom and sand and liquid fertilizer throughout for increased permeability. Also, after two years, re-pot in a relatively larger container with a new potting mix.

Swiss Cheese Plant Care: Tips and Hacks

swiss cheese plant care

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You must ensure that you properly care for your swiss Cheese Plant now that you have successfully planted it. Your primary responsibility with this plant will be to provide it with regular water and nourishment. The Swiss cheese plant loves to climb, therefore to keep it in place, you must attach a stake in the middle. You may also need to undertake some maintenance trimming to keep the plant at the proper size.

1. Light

Swiss cheese plants thrives in the jungle beneath the shade of huge trees, and the leaves can quickly burn if subjected to excessive direct sunlight. As a result, you must set it somewhere that receives indirect sunlight.

2. Soil

Swiss cheese plants thrive in compost potting mix, which traps moisture without becoming soggy. To prevent root rot caused by standing water, make sure your container includes drainage holes.

3. Water Requirements

Insert your finger into the soil about an inch deep before misting your Swiss cheese plant. This allows you to determine whether the soil is saturated or dry.

4. Temperature

The Monstera Swiss Cheese plant is a tropical plant that grows best in warm, humid climates. Monstera plants thrive at temperatures ranging from the 50s and 60s to the mid-80s Fahrenheit.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases in Swiss Cheese Monstera

swiss cheese plant care

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Monstera Swiss Cheese plant features delicate leaves which are susceptible to several pests and diseases. These pests, however, are seldom lethal and may be treated with a nontoxic pesticide or organic disinfectant(like neem oil).

Here are some common diseases we see in the Monstera Swiss Cheese plant.

1. Root Rot

Root rot develops in potted plants with poor drainage bases. If ignored, fungal infections can spread throughout the root system of a houseplant as a result of standing water, which can potentially lead to the plant’s death.

2. Pests 

Whiteflies and spider mites are common Monstera swiss cheese plant pests who like eating plant sap and, on occasion, roots. To eliminate these pests, spray a neem and water solution on your Monstera.

Also Read: How to Plant Grass Seed: A Simple Guide to Know

Common Problems with Swiss Cheese Plant

swiss cheese plant care

Source: theindoornursery.com

1. Leaf Discolouration

You will probably want your Swiss cheese plant to retain its leathery green leaves. There are many reasons of leaves turn yellow but the main reason is overwatering. If the leaves droop and become brown, they are most certainly dried out and exposed to excessive sunlight. To avoid this mishap, make sure you are not overdoing the maintenance process.

2. Holes not Developing on the Leaves

The Swiss Cheese plant is known for its intricate perforation patterns. The lack of sunlight, insufficient water, or poor nutrients are the typical causes of leaves that are not developing perforations. Check to see if the aerial roots of a tall plant have been placed in the compost. Ensure that you put the roots in soil or on a damp moss pole.

Swiss Cheese Plants: The Most Popular Green Accent Choice for Contemporary Interior Design

swiss cheese monstera

Source: gardening.org

If you’re looking for a stylish houseplant, the swiss cheese plant can be just what you’re looking for. The huge heart-shaped leaves with abstract holes provide a delicate flair to your home design. And even if you have a green thumb, caring for a Swiss cheese plant is really simple!

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swiss cheese monstera

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monstera adansonii

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monstera adansonii

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monstera adansonii

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monstera adansonii

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FAQs

1. When Is the Best Time to Repot My Swiss Cheese Plant?

Replant your Swiss cheese plant at any time of year with an all-purpose potting mix. Repotting should only be done every two to three years as these plants like to stay in their pots.

2. Is It Better to Hang or Climb a Swiss Cheese Plant?

Swiss Cheese Vine Monstera adansonii sprouts in water Since the Monstera adansonii can mount and trail, it is ideal for keeping as an indoor hanging plant or on a planting stand where it may grow.

3. How Do You Make a Monstera Adansonii Bushy?

Routine pruning is the key to a healthy Swiss cheese plant. If you start doing this early on, tip trimming will keep your plant bushy.

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